“Pods are convenient but they’re pricey. And our expert coffee tasters found that the coffee was only so-so. So, if you really like your coffee, you probably want to go for a drip coffeemaker,” Consumer Reports’ Celia Kuperszmid Lehrman said.

A good choice is the $40 Mr. Coffee. It consistently heats up to the perfect brewing temperature.

For a healthier wake-up call, consider the $90 Nutri Ninja, which does a very good job blending an icy drink or smoothie.

A microwave is always convenient in any college living situation.

The $150 Kenmore model from Sears is great for heating quick meals and snacks.

As for a toaster oven, the $80 Oster is a good option. It bakes and broils just as well as much pricier models.

To help keep your cool in warmer months, a window air conditioner is the way to go.

“Our tests found that most window air conditioners did an excellent job of cooling a room or two,” Lehrman said.

A GE gets the job done and is a Consumer Reports best buy for $210.

Another appliance to consider is a compact fridge.

Out of the 26 Consumer Reports tested, only three made the recommended list and all are from Frigidaire.

They offer excellent freezer performance and very good energy efficiency with prices starting at around $200.